Pediatric trauma: special patients/special needs.

Traumatic injuries are the primary cause of death in children. Nursing care that the critically injured child receives during the acute phases of resuscitation and stabilization and critical care have direct impact on potential for good long-term outcome. The nurse works in concert with other members of the trauma team to provide comprehensive assessment and interventions during both the primary and secondary surveys. Knowledge of mechanisms of injury in the pediatric population, patterns of injury unique to children, physiologic differences between adults and children and their impact on care, and developmental needs of children and families guide the trauma nurse in providing expert clinical care and caring psychosocial support to traumatized patients and families.